Australia has passed a groundbreaking law that bans social media access for children under the age of 16, setting a global precedent in the fight to protect youth from the harmful effects of social media, Reuters reported.
The social media minimum age bill, which passed after a heated debate in the Australian Senate, is poised to make the nation a leader in the effort to curb the power of tech giants and safeguard the mental health of youth.
The law, which is expected to come into effect by November 2025, requires social media platforms to implement age verification systems to block access for users under the age of 16. Platforms that fail to comply could face hefty fines of up to AUD 49.5 million (USD 32 million).
The law marks a significant shift in the regulation framework and follows a series of similar discussions globally, including in France and parts of the United States, but Australia’s approach is seen as one of the strictest yet.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Labor government spearheaded the legislation, gaining bipartisan support in Parliament after a government-level inquiry into the impacts of social media on youth mental health.
Albanese, who faces the upcoming 2025 election, argued that the law is a vital step in countering the rise in social media-induced mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and suicide among young people. His government’s push for the bill was bolstered by public outcry and testimonies from parents of children who had suffered or died due to cyberbullying.
Despite the law’s broad popularity, with 77% of Australians supporting it according to recent polls, the bill has faced strong opposition from privacy advocates, tech giants like Meta, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter), and some children’s rights groups.
These organizations argue that the law could lead to increased surveillance and the collection of personal data, which could infringe on privacy and civil rights. Meta, for example, has expressed concern that the rushed passage of the bill did not allow for adequate consultation on the details of implementation. They also warned that the bill could result in an overreach that places undue burdens on both teens and parents.
In response to privacy concerns, a last-minute amendment to the bill specifies that social media platforms must not require users to upload identification documents, such as passports, to verify their age. Instead, alternative methods will be used to verify age without invading users’ privacy.
The bill also promises to trial an age-verification system, possibly involving biometrics or government identification, in a move to bolster the enforcement of the ban. This trial, which will run for several months, is expected to be reviewed by mid-2025 before any penalties for non-compliance are levied.
While proponents argue that the law is a much-needed intervention to protect vulnerable children from the dangers of online spaces, critics, including youth advocacy groups and academics, caution that it could unintentionally harm the very children it seeks to protect.
Some warn that vulnerable youth, particularly LGBTQIA+ and migrant teens, may be cut off from vital online support networks. Additionally, concerns have been raised that the law could create a generation of young people who find ways to bypass the restrictions, driving them to less visible, potentially more dangerous corners of the internet.
The legislation has ignited debates about the balance between protecting children and preserving privacy rights. Critics also argue that while restrictions are important, education on online safety should play a crucial role in keeping young people safe on social media platforms.